Status (Fall 2025): Due to budget cuts at NSF and within the University of California system, I'm not accepting new students this fall unless they already have external fellowship support (e.g., NSF GRFP, Fulbright). If you do have funding or are applying for it, I'm happy to chat about fit and projects.
Field work

Field Work

Quantitative tools

Quantitative Tools

Team culture

Team Culture

Our Approach

Field ⨉ Quant ⨉ Synthesis

We connect experiments to models and meta-analysis to inform action.

Decision Relevance

We co-design studies with agencies and NGOs for immediate, real-world use.

Place-Based Partnerships

Long-term collaborations in key reef and kelp systems drive our work.

Career Outcomes

Our alumni thrive in academia, government, NGOs, and data science.

Opportunities by Role

Undergraduates

Typical projects: field surveys, 3D image annotation, data QA/QC, literature curation.
  • Compensation: Course credit or hourly stipend (funding-dependent).
  • Hours/week: 6–10 during term; 15–20 in summer.
  • Programs: UCSB research credit, REU.

Graduate (MS/PhD)

Typical projects: Field experiments, quantitative models, and synthesis for recovery.
  • Support: Fellowships, TA-ships, and grants.
  • Expectations: Full-time, collaborative work producing publishable chapters.
  • Programs: EEMB, IGPMS.

Postdocs

Typical projects: Lead multi-site experiments, develop quantitative pipelines, co-produce tools.
  • Funding: Typically external with co-developed proposals.
  • Term: 18–24 months, renewal funding-dependent.
  • Strategic advising, leadership, and co-mentoring provided.

Application Timeline

Note: Recruitment is limited this cycle; applicants with secured external fellowships will be prioritized.

Typical PhD cycle (EEMB/UCSB) — Opens late Aug → Dec 1 application deadline → decisions late Feb–Mar → national decision Apr 15.

Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul

Please verify all dates on the official EEMB and UCSB Graduate Division websites.

How to Apply

Initial Inquiry

Before your formal application, send a brief email to introduce yourself and your interests.

  • Attach a 1-page CV (PDF).
  • Briefly cover your interests, experience, and career goals.
  • Explain why our lab is a good fit, citing 2–3 of our publications.

We're a strong fit if you…

  • Thrive at the intersection of organismal and ecosystem ecology.
  • Enjoy connecting field experiments to quantitative models.
  • Are passionate about decision-relevant science for restoration.
  • Value collaborative, interdisciplinary teamwork.

Mentoring & Development

Cadence

  • PI meetings: bi-weekly
  • Lab meeting: weekly
  • Peer pods: bi-weekly

Skill Development

  • Stats/modeling workshops
  • Field methods & safety
  • Communication training

Writing & Proposals

  • Paper sprints & feedback
  • Fellowship/proposal reviews
  • Conference prep

What Our People Say

I got to jump between the reef and R scripts in the same week. That mix made me faster and more confident as a researcher.

- undergraduate

Mentorship here is hands‑on without micromanaging. I received concrete feedback on proposals and papers, not just vibes.

- graduate student

Working with partner agencies meant our results didn't sit on a shelf—people actually used them to make decisions.

- postdoctoral researcher